Wendy Pogozelski

SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor of Chemistry
ISC 326J
585-245-5453
pogozels@geneseo.edu

Wendy Pogozelski has been a member of the Geneseo faculty since 1996.

Portrait of Wendy Pogozelski

Fall 2025 Office Hours

Mon 3:00-4:00
Wed 3:00-4:00
Fri 3:00-4:00
or by appointment

Curriculum Vitae

Education

  • Post-doc, Naval Research Laboratory and Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute

  • Ph.D., The Johns Hopkins University

  • B.S., Chatham University

Affiliations

  • Nutrition and Metabolism Society

  • American Chemical Society

  • Radiation Research Society

  • American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

  • Mitochondria Research Society

  • Council on Undergraduate Research

Publications

  • R.D.Feinman, W.K.Pogozelski, A.Astrup, R.K.Bernstein, E.J.Fine, E.C.Westman, A.Accuros, L.Frasetto, S.McFarlane, J.V.Nielsen, T.Krarup, B.A.Gower, L.Saslow, K.S.Roth, M.C.Vernon, J.S.Volek, G.B.Wilshire, A.Dahlqvist, R.Sundberg, A.Childers, K.Morrison, A.H. Manninen, R.J.Wood, J.Wortman, N.Worm, Dietary Carbohydrate Restriction as the Default Treatment for Diabetes: The Evidence Base, Nutrition, 2015 (available online in 2014 at http://www.nutrtionjrnl.com/article/S0899-9007(14)00332-3/fulltext)

  • W.K.Pogozelski, "The Uses of Metabolic Adversity", ASBMB Today, March 2013.

  • W.K. Pogozelski, L. Fletcher, C. Cassar, I.A. Trounce and C.A. Pinkert, The mitochondrial genome sequence of Mus terricolor: Comparison with Mus musculus domesticus and implications for xenomitochondrial mouse modeling, Gene, 2008, 418(1,2), 27-33.

  • W.K. Pogozelski, S.F.Priore, M.P. Bernard, A.J.Macula, "Experimental Validation of DNA Sequences for DNA Computing: Use of a SYBR Green Assay", Lecture Notes in Computer Science, DNA 11 , 2006, 3892, 248-256.

  • A.G.D'yachokov, A.J. Macula, W.K.Pogozelski, T.E.Renz, V.VRykov, D.C.Torney, "New t-Gap Insertion-Deletion-Like Metrics for DNA hybridization Thermodynamic Modeling", J. Comput. Biol. 2006, 13(4), 866-881.

  • W.K.Pogozelski, S.F.Priore, N.Arpaia, "The Metabolic Effects of Low-Carbohydrate Diets and Incorporation into a Biochemistry Course", Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 2005, 33(2), 91-100.

  • A.Macula, A.D'yachkov, W.K.Pogozelski, et al., "An Insertion-Deletion Like Metric with Application to DNA Hybridization Thermodynamic Modeling"", Lecture Notes in Computer Science 2005, 3384, 90-103.

  • I.A.Trounce, M.McKenzie, C.A.Cassar, C.A. Ingraham, C.A.Lerner, D.A. Dunn, C.L. Donegan, K. Takeda, W.K. Pogozelski, R.L. Howell and C.A. Pinkert, "Development and Initial Characterization of Xenomitochondrial Mice: Mitochondria and Neuroprotection - In Memory of Albert L. Lehninger" J. Bioenerg. Biomembr. 2004, 36(4) 421-427.

  • For full list of publications, please see my C.V.

More About Me

Interests

Teaching:  new ways to teach biochemistry and chemistry
New ways to teach the biochemistry of nutrition
Incorporation of demonstrations into lectures
Studying the biochemistry and physiology of low-carbohydrate diets, ketogenic diets, other nutrient-controlled diets
Mitochondrial function and mitochondrial DNA
Radiation effects
DNA chemistry
Molecular basis of metabolic disorders, including type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Biomolecular/DNA computing

 

Research Interests

My research has two arms: The first is in nutrition and metabolism, using a mechanistic/molecular and evidence-based approach, and the biochemical basis of metabolic disorders and diseases such as type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The second arm is my "bench" research, studying mitochondrial function, mitochondrial DNA, and radiation effects. I have also worked in biomolecular computing, but am no longer quite as active in that field.

 

Biochemistry Songs

To help my students learn metabolism, I began using songs and mnemonic devices. The songs really caught on and I have been asked to share my sources with others. 

Classes

  • CHEM 290: Chemistry Research

    This course provides an opportunity for students to engage in an exploratory laboratory research experience with a Chemistry Department faculty member. Research positions are arranged by consultation with the course instructor, faculty mentor, and student. A learning agreement and permission of instructor is required for class registration; use the link in section notes to submit a permission request.

  • CHEM 304: Biochemistry II

    Continuation of the chemistry of living organisms. The chemistry of nucleic acids is explored in depth and these principles are applied to understanding the tools that biochemists use in the laboratory. Regulation of genes and the molecular interactions of protein-DNA complexes are also investigated. The last part of the course focuses on the chemistry of metabolism and biosynthesis, along with the mechanisms of regulation of these processes.

  • CHEM 490: Advanced Chemistry Research

    An individual, student-led, advanced laboratory research experience with a Chemistry Department faculty member. Working with a faculty mentor, students design, perform, and analyze the results of a laboratory experiment. Students submit a written laboratory report that conforms to American Chemical Society Guidelines and a self-reflection about their experience. A learning agreement and permission of instructor is required for class registration. Use the link in section notes to submit a permission request.